silver and semi-precious and fine glass beads. My pure silver is in the form of Precious Metal Clay--a material that was developed in Japan and made its way to the US in 1997. I have worked with PMC since 1998. It was a natural progression from a "hobby life" that started with pottery, moved to ceramics, then to metal clay. Upon my retirement as Thesis/Dissertation Consultant from The University of Tennessee, the "hobby" took on a life of its own and has moved into a full-time endeavor. I took my Rio certification classes with Barbara Becker Simon in 2000 and am a PMC Guild Certified Artisan.  In Summer 2005 I was invited to teach both PMC and Chain Weaving classes for the American Maritime Art Academy at the Universite Ste. Anne in Nova Scotia.  I teach PMC and chain-weaving at my Studio and also teach chain-weaving at White Fox Bead Studio in Maryville. 

Along the way, I became friends with three talented jewelry artisans—Kathy Aycock, Jo Ann Hasty and Marty Thurman—and we formed Silver Moon Reflections. Although each artist has an individual studio, we hold annual open houses at the studio in Powell and do art and craft shows together. They have helped fill my need for "people" in a sometimes solitary endeavor. These three, plus the many other friends I have made as a result of my work with PMC and chain, are my gurus, cheerleaders, students and inspiration and provide an endless source of happiness and contentment as we share ideas, skills, techniques, laughter and sometimes--even tears.

Wife of John, a still-working middle school counselor; mother of four grown children—Cindy, Johnny, Gia and Gina—who have given me eight grandchildren to play with; and great-grandmother to Luna, daughter of Sean (Cindy’s son), and a new great-grandson Cody from Crystal (Gia’s daughter); our family tree just grows and grows and continues to put out new branches.  Family get-togethers are loud, fun and loving.

I can be reached at alacava@frontiernet.net or Ann Lacava, 158 Overton Lane, Powell TN.